Believing in a God of love means vulnerability and hope. And it means we recognize how we are all truly equal deep down, but can’t be equal under the law when some get to be superior by the lottery of their birth.

Such a belief means we don’t need to defend our false divisions and oppressive beliefs. We don’t get to think the color of our skin and cultural domination are tied to our worth as human beings. Nor is anyone else’s worth tied to such dangerous and meaningless belief.

We are a people of love and new life. And we are called to bring life out of death, courage out of hopelessness, equality out of systems of oppression.

None of us is called to stand their ground if we can’t stand on our public ground together as equals.

]]>By: Dan Wrayhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78389
Thu, 02 May 2019 11:46:12 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78389Amen brother. We did not actually meet at the Nashville conference this past February, but I much appreciate your work and your Christian stance. Would love to get together in the future. I am a Presbyterian pastor and a lifelong photographer. God bless you as you continue to testify.
]]>By: Dick Ginkowskihttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78271
Sat, 20 Apr 2019 21:39:18 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78271There is a bigger danger and it’s that we have let politicians and political parties tell US what to do instead of us telling THEM. Martin Luther King, jr., said it best that there is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. I, too, voted for Trump in 2016. He violated the trust I placed in him. That said, we live in an “either or” society where compromise and independent thinking as well as submission to Christian values takes a back seat to one side trying to stick it to an other in a warped “zero sum” race to Hell. No sane American reading the Muller report could embrace the presidential actions as representing either the best of America or the minimum standard of conduct we expect from a person in his position (or any position of trust, frankly). That said, the antidote isn’t a rush to a bunch of Democrats flailing about like sharks in the water. They are not without issues of their own. We need to bow in prayer and then clean house. Mitt Romney had the courage to take the first step. We need politicians who put America first and right now they are in short supply. The truth, though, is that not everything Trump has done is wrong and neither are positions advocated by many Democrats. What I hoped Trump would have done when he promised to drain the swamp is act like a good businessman and take the best ideas from anywhere, adopt and improve them and move forward but that’s not how the system works. They can’t let anyone else have credit so we get more corruption and gridlock. While impeachment may be attractive to some it would only be more time consuming, distractive and the votes aren’t there to convict. Real leadership would be for Republicans to sponsor resolutions of censure and then move forward to select a candidate for 2020 who can bring America together. All we are looking for is someone who is rational, businesslike, humane and sane. So far there are only two announced candidates that even appear to have some potential of filling that minimum standard: Bill Weld and, oddly enough, Mayor Pete (only Democrat who seems to talk to people and listen as well though I suspect the nation may not be ready for a first consort in the White House). Romney isn’t announced but if he acted like Governor Romney and not the 2012 candidate he might win. But Republicans have to have the courage to do the right thing, say the right things and, yes, admit to failing. The nation is going to Hell and the politicians care more about their own survival than that of the nation — a terribly un-Christianlike performance. My mama told me, of course, don’t criticize someone else if you can’t offer a better idea. So here are mine:

1. National defense: In our day you joined the Guard and Reserves to get out of going to Vietnam and the fact we have Guardsmen on the front lines is simply wrong. We need to build up our military preparedness to the point that nobody should ever entertain the idea of messing with us. And we should get out of where we shouldn’t be. Trump is right that our allies must pay their fair share and accept their responsibilities to the team as well.

2. Economy: We need to address the deficit as well as trade imbalance and fair taxation. We need to adjust the tax brackets so that we restore some deductions (like state and local taxes without limits and employee business expenses) and increase the very top rates plus impose significant taxes on criminal enterprise conduct. Also, those who create American jobs should be rewarded while those who export them are penalized. Free trade with Canada should mean just that and can be said on one page, period. We need to reduce dependence on foreign powers, such as China.

3. Immigration. The system doesn’t work. It’s broken. And neither party has the stones to fix it. Canada had similar problems and threw out their whole system and started over. We need to do that. We need better border security and, where appropriate, the wall is part of the mix but only a small part of the solution. We need to reinstate alien registration, tax employers for hiring illegal aliens and recognize that no matter how hard we try we won’t solve the illegal alien mess, period. So we can start by making it less attractive for other nations to dump people here. Simply stated we begin charging them for taking care of their citizens and then seizing foreign assets if they don’t pay up. No more dog and pony shows. We tax the countries that send us people. As for those who are here, we say get legal or get out and provide a reasonable path to accomplish this.

4. Health care. We pay the most and don’t get what we pay for. Enough is enough. The system is too corrupt, of course. But there are many models in foreign countries to study. Canada has a single payer system with one considerable problem: waiting times for surgical procedures. You mean to tell me we don’t have the talent in THIS country to fix that? Spreading the cost of health care to make it universally accessible is pro-business and enhances the ability of small businesses and entrepreneurs to attract and retain talent. We are already paying too much so it’s not an issue of how much we’re paying but how that money is being spent. We can fix it but we must again root out the corruption.

5. Civil rights. Illegal discrimination is unlawful, immoral and should be severely punished as should false claims that detract from legitimate ones. Also, equality of access does not guarantee equal outcomes.

6. National service. Everyone should in some way, shape or form perform national service (not necessarily military). One year of service equals two years of community college tuition and books. If you are receiving welfare and not working then you should perform service in exchange for assistance and that assistance should be realistic and encourage self-reliance. We have infrastructure needs (ironically Trump said that but Obama was the last one who tried to attack it). How many 1930’s WPA and PWA projects are still up and running? FDR had it right. Work for your welfare.

7. Education. Every child deserves a safe, positive learning environment. If schools are failing, then take control and kick butt.

8. Crime. We need to be tough and smart as well. When little kids die from stray gunfire entering their homes that’s not a police problem. It’s an insurrection and should be dealt with accordingly.

9. Corporate welfare. Free trade and absence from unnecessary government regulation is a two-way street. Government should not be subsidizing businesses and executive who run companies into the ground should not be financially rewarded.

Now, where are we having lunch?

Happy Easter!

]]>By: Bill Fortneyhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78262
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 21:08:47 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78262Got a good laugh on that one!
]]>By: Homer Fortneyhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78261
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 18:30:19 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78261Brother, I just got around to checking up on your blog and read this post. Amen. Very powerful message and I agree. I wish I could develop this attitude of yours of forgiveness but I very much struggle with it. I have considered quitting watching the news several times but I want to try to stay up with current affairs. In a gesture of brotherhood, if you can send me an address for Ron Lacy I will gladly send him some coupons for a discount on CoolAid that I got in the mail the other day. Love you brother and Happy Easter!
]]>By: Bill Fortneyhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78249
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:56:20 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78249You are right, interesting to say the least!
]]>By: Bill Fortneyhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78248
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:55:22 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78248Johnny,
You are dead on!
]]>By: Bill Fortneyhttp://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78247
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:38:47 +0000http://billfortney.com/?p=20427#comment-78247I hope you feel better, venting often relieves pressure! I am not the President and I have done none of the things you pointed out here. Obviously I think, (my opinion), that much of what you have charged President Trump with are simply not true, or talking points from CNN or MSNBC. We can disagree and not be disagreeable, which will be my stand! I wish you only the best and appreciate that you read the blog!
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